Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program

Frequently Asked Questions

Utica College offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Studies, leading to a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree for qualified students who meet required continuation standards. Some students are accepted into the freshmen Direct Entry Program (designated HSPT or HSP4) are guaranteed entry into the professional PT program pending successful completion of requirements.

Q1.What options are available to students interested in applying to Utica College as freshmen with guaranteed continuation into the DPT program?

A. There are two options:

The 4 + 3 program is the “regular” track (HSP4) that provides the opportunity for students to complete their baccalaureate degree prior to beginning the graduate DPT program.

The 3 + 3 program is an “accelerated” track (HSPT) that provides the opportunity for students to earn their DPT degree from Utica College in six years while earning their baccalaureate degree along the way. This track is considered for those students having a strong background in math and science and who may have advanced placement or college credits.

Q2. When do I designate which track I plan to follow?

A. Students admitted as freshmen with guaranteed continuation into the DPT Program must designate one of the two tracks noted above by February 1st of the freshman year. Should a student find it necessary to change from the selected track, admission into the DPT program will not be guaranteed.

Q3. Are there factors I should consider when making this decision?

A. Each student differs in the ability to succeed in a chosen academic pathway. The 3 + 3 track is truly an “accelerated” track and the decision should not be made lightly. Some factors to consider when making this important decision include the following:

Earned college credits or their equivalent

Semester load:

Full time load for financial eligibility is 12 credits/semester. For students who aspire to complete their undergraduate requirements in three years, semester course loads will be higher (typically 16-17 credits/semester). Students may also opt to take coursework if available during the summer and winter sessions.

Planned participation in Division III athletic competition

Planned work or additional responsibilities during academic semesters

Q4. What if I am not able to complete my undergraduate degree requirements in three years as originally selected?

A. Not all students are able to accomplish their academic requirements as originally planned, due to a number of reasons (personal responsibilities, academic difficulty, life circumstances, etc.). If you are unable to complete the work as required within the three years in a designated 3 + 3 track, you will NOT be eligible to matriculate into the DPT as an undergraduate. The option that remains is for you to complete your bachelor’s degree and apply through PTCAS (Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service) by July that follows your junior year. You will be considered for admission along with the entire pool of applicants and if selected, would enter as a graduate student the subsequent summer. Students may be offered positions in the cohort based on space availability and qualifications. A preference may be given to Utica College students when they are competitive with other applicants. Further questions regarding the process for PTCAS are to be directed to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Q5. What options are available for students who are not accepted as freshmen?

A. Students interested in this option are advised to review the admission requirements including prerequisite courses. The only option for a student who was not accepted as a freshman is to complete the bachelor’s degree and required admission prerequisites and apply through PTCAS by January 15 of the senior year. These applicants will be considered for admission along with the pool of post-baccalaureate candidates. Information on this process can be found on the PTCAS web site at www.ptcas.org. Students may be offered positions in the cohort based on space availability and qualifications. Your continuous enrollment as a Utica College student will be given additional consideration, when competitive with other applicants. Further questions regarding the process for PTCAS are to be directed to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

CONTINUATION REQUIREMENTS

Students work with their faculty advisors to complete the prerequisite coursework and core requirements for the Health Studies degree and admission requirements for continuation into the DPT program. Student progress, cumulative GPA and prerequisite work are reviewed each semester.

Q6. What is required to maintain my status as a Health Studies student designated for continuation into the DPT program?

A. In order to maintain one's status as a Health Studies Physical Therapy Track (HSPT or HSP4), you must have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 (beginning Fall 2017), earned a grade of B or better in each required science course (BIO 101 & 102, CHE 211 & 263, PHY 151 & 152); and a grade of C or better in each required major related course.

Q7. What happens if I do not meet continuation requirements as stated above?

A. Should a student fail to meet these requirements, their major coding will change to Health Studies (HS) with no guarantee of acceptance into the graduate DPT program. The student is welcome to re-apply at a later date if all admission requirements have been met.

Q8. When would I apply at a later date if I am no longer guaranteed acceptance into the DPT program?

A. Students who do not meet requirements as undergraduates have the option of applying through PTCAS beginning July that follows your junior year. These applicants will be considered for admission along with the pool of post-baccalaureate candidates. Information on this process can be found on the admissions requirements page.

Q9. Am I permitted to retake any prerequisite coursework?

A. Students who fail to earn a grade of B or better in a required science course may repeat that course to earn a satisfactory grade. However, a student may repeat no more than two science courses and any science course may be repeated only once.

Q10. Can I take prerequisite courses at another institution?

A. In order to consider courses from another institution once a student is matriculated at Utica College, the student should first speak with their faculty advisor and discuss the process for approval to study at another institution. If you wish to take a course at another institution that you have not previously taken at Utica College since matriculating, you must first complete the “Permission to Study at Another Institution” form and gain approval.

Note: an exception to this rule relate to all science courses (BIO 101 & 102, CHE 211 & 263, PHY 151 & 152). Those courses must be taken at Utica College.

If a student wishes to retake a course previously completed at Utica College, the faculty advisor should first be consulted. To determine the impact a retake will have on a student’s academic profile, the following points can be considered:

If a student’s overall GPA is greater than 3.2, a student may be allowed to take the course at another institution if permission is granted. TThe student must complete the “Permission to Study at Another Institution” and secure all signatures (advisor, dean & registrar) before enrolling in a course. If you retake a course previously taken for credit at Utica College, you must submit the official transcript to the Registrar at Utica College. Although the new grade will not impact your official GPA, the department will accept the grade as meeting program requirements if a B or better has been earned.

If a student’s overall GPA is below a 3.2, a student is advised to retake the course at Utica College in order to impact the cumulative GPA.

Q11. Do Advance Placement credits taken in high school count toward prerequisites at Utica College?

A. AP credits in science courses count towards meeting prerequisites at Utica College if they have been accepted by the Registrar for the required courses and are equivalent in credit/content. Scores of 4 or 5 in AP science courses are required for consideration. General Biology does not satisfy course requirements for Human Anatomy and Physiology.

Matriculating into the DPT program

During the semester in which a student will graduate with their undergraduate degree, a form signifying change in status to graduate student will be completed. This form should be completed during the spring of the senior year.

Q12. When am I considered a graduate student?

A. Students are considered graduate students ONCE they have satisfied all degree requirements for the undergraduate degree in Health Studies - Physical Therapy track which includes both total number of credits (120) and specific course requirements.

Q13. What are the implications of being a graduate student?

A. Once they move to graduate status, students are no longer eligible for undergraduate financial aid. Students are advised to speak with their Student Financial Services counselor early in their academic careers for individual guidance.

Curriculum Changes: The College reserves the right to make changes in courses, regulations, curricula, and fees at any time.

Message from the Program Chair

Ashraf M. Elazzazi, Ph.D.

Welcome. We create opportunities for adult learners to become knowledgeable and skilled practitioners who care for their patients and profession first and foremost. Read more →